And You Thought PDs Worked Cheap

When David Beckham signed with Major League Soccer earlier this year, much was made of the $250 million he could reap in the next five years. Even pairing it down to guaranteed salary, Becks stands to make more this season than anybody else in the league. Dig below the surface of big-name players and US internationals, and the situation gets even worse.

Over at ESPNSoccernet, Kristian Dyer explores the career decisions of defender Jay Needham as an object lesson in the economics of soccer in the US. In spite of being drafted by DC United, Needham chose to play with the Puerto Rico Islanders of the second-division USL1:

Needham's journey to the second division is puzzling on the surface. A stylish defender, 6-foot-2 Needham was consistently awarded honors and all-conference selections throughout his career. It came as no surprise that Needham, a team captain and a starter at SMU since his freshman year, was drafted by D.C. United. In fact, many felt Needham fit an obvious need along the United back line. It all added up in most people's minds.

But it didn't add up in Needham's bank account.

Needham passed up the chance to play his way into the starting 11 of MLS's premier franchise because the developmental contract he was offered would have paid so little he would have had to find a second job.

As Dyer points out, there's no problem with young American talent skipping MLS to take their chances in Europe. It's much more of a concern when that talent it willing to play in the minor leagues just to make ends meet.